Obi-Wan woke the next morning and went to class feeling in a surprisingly good mood. He even got there early, much to Professor Windu's surprise.
"I thought you were for the dramatic entrance, not the punctual one, Kenobi," Windu teased.
"I can't be predictable all the time," he replied.
"Of course not," Windu chuckled.
Obi-Wan settled in for the lesson, shocked when Professor Windu ended it early.
"Professor, is everything alright?" Obi-Wan asked, coming up to him after class. "Are you behind because I haven't been in? I can do extra hours."
"No, I just have a high profile case that requires my attention right now," Windu replied.
"High profile?" Obi-Wan asked in confusion.
Windu gave him a look. Realization hit Obi-Wan like a ton of bricks.
"You're representing the Governor?" Obi-Wan asked in shock.
"I'm the best," Windu replied. "Of course the Governor would want me to represent him."
Obi-Wan was reeling, leaning back on his desk for support. Suddenly, everything made sense. Palpatine was in charge of all of these gangs. These gangs came to Windu for representation. Windu gets them out of jail and they're back on the street to make more money for Palpatine. Of course the Governor would want Mace for representation. He'd been using Mace for representation all along, perhaps even testing him to make sure that he would be the best in case he was ever caught.
Obi-Wan's face snapped up, "You can't possibly defend him."
"He's paying me to," Windu replied, closing his briefcase.
"How can you defend a man who has lied to the community?" Obi-Wan asked incredulously.
"Because it's my job!" Windu snapped, "I have a duty, Kenobi. Do I like half of these people that I represent? Hell no. But, they have a right to representation, and I would be doing the system a disservice if I half-assed their defense. I can't let a prosecutor steam roll over my clients just because I don't like them, because if I let them get away with that for people who may actually be guilty, then they'd sure as hell do it to people who are innocent. We are innocent until proven guilty, Kenobi. It is my duty to make sure that my clients can enter that court room, knowing that I view them as such, and that I will make sure that proper measures were taken to ensure a fair trial. I thought you believed in duty."
Obi-Wan shook his head, "I do. However, I believe in justice and doing the right thing just a little bit more."
Windu slowly nodded. "In that case, you're dismissed. I have to put my clients first. If you can't do that, you can't work with me."
Obi-Wan watched as his Professor left the room. When he was alone in the lecture hall, he let out a sigh. He knew Mace was right. It was a fact that he'd known about himself for a while now. He just hadn't been able to admit it to himself. He wasn't cut out to be a defense lawyer. His own need for justice would always outweigh his feelings of duty. However, now he was left wondering if he had just wasted thousands of dollars and years of his life on an education he would never use. Running a hand through his hair, he let out a groan. Then, he slung his bag over his shoulder and went to the one place where he knew he might find clarity.
Master Yoda was sitting on his pedestal in the inner sanctum when Obi-Wan arrived. The Temple was empty at this time of day, with everyone at work or school. Obi-Wan's footsteps echoed against the marble floors as he made his way further into the building. As quietly as possible, he sat in front of the old man on the pedestal, although he knew very well that Yoda had heard his arrival.
"Early, you are," Yoda commented with his eyes closed.
"Class was let out early," Obi-Wan replied.
"Troubled, you have become."
Obi-Wan swallowed, "I lost my internship."
Yoda's eyes opened, "How do you feel?"
"Honestly?" Obi-Wan asked, "Relieved. I know I won't have to defend anyone who is truly guilty. I dislike the fact that I feel useless and as though I wasted so much time and resources that I'll never get back, but I feel glad that someone pushed me off that path. It made me admit that I hadn't wanted it for a long time."
"So sure you are, that a defense lawyer you would become?"
"If I had stuck on that path, yes," Obi-Wan replied. "After working with Windu, I'd probably either end up working with him post graduation, or I'd end up at another firm that does the same exact thing."
"Need a new path, you do," Yoda commented.
"But what path?" Obi-Wan asked.
"Meditate and it will become clear," Yoda replied, closing his eyes, "No matter what path you are on, bring peace to you it must."
Obi-Wan exhaled slowly, pulling his legs into the lotus position. He rested his open palms face up on his knees as he contemplated what Master Yoda had said. He thought about the situation with Palpatine. He thought about Anakin in the middle of it all, and the collateral damage that had come in the form of Padmé's injury and Maul's kidnapping. It had all gone so wrong. He needed to find a way to help all of them. To get justice for all of them. Although, in the end he knew it didn't come down to his actions. In the end, it all came down to the prosecution making a better argument and somehow showing a jovial old man to be the snake in the grass that he is.
That was it.
It all came down to the prosecution.
Obi-Wan opened his eyes with the realization of what he had to do.
He stepped out into the hall and pulled up the number for District Attorney Mon Mothma and hit dial.
The phone rang once. Twice. Then, it was picked up.
"District Attorney Mon Mothma," a crisp voice said on the other end.
"DA Mothma, I'd like to help you win the case against Governor Palpatine," Obi-Wan stated.
"How exactly do you expect to do that?" she asked.
"I know a lot more about this case than most. I have witnesses that you could utilize. Provided that they are protected afterwards," Obi-Wan stated.
"And who are you?"
"Obi-Wan Kenobi, ma'am."
"Well, Obi-Wan Kenobi, I'll accept your help. I've been taking a look at this case and I think you may be my only hope."